Compliance Investigator
Make a difference! We stand for the rights of people that have disabilities....JOIN US!
Individuals who are Deaf or Disabled are encouraged to apply.
Location: Oakland, CA (Currently Remote)
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this position currently works remotely but is expected to telecommute (home and the field) once restrictions are lifted.
SALARY RANGE (Depending on Experience): $24.97 hour - $36.59 hour
We base salary and position offers on experience and an internal equity analysis.
Employment Status: Non-Exempt; Regular; Full time (37.5 hrs)
EXCELLENT BENEFITS including 8% 401k Match, a language differential up to $250/mo. Health (HMO and PPO options), dental, vision, basic life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance and flexible spending accounts (medical, dependent care and commuter). Additionally, we offer ample vacation, sick/self care leave and eighteen paid holidays (including the last week in December) and more….. We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - eligible employer.
Application Deadline: Open until filled.
WHO WE ARE
Disability Rights California (DRC) defends, advances, and strengthens the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities.
DRC works for a world where all disabled people have power and are treated with dignity and respect. In this world, people with disabilities are supported, valued, included in their communities, afforded the same opportunities as people without disabilities, and make their own decisions.
DRC values all forms of human diversity. We are committed to a culture of belonging where all people are welcome. In order to be effective advocates for all people with disabilities, we must address discrimination in all its forms, including the unique challenges faced by people who experience the intersection of multiple systems of discrimination.
Office of Payee Review & Beneficiary Assistance (OPRABA)
OPRABA was created by the Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act of 2018 to ensure compliance as well as uncover and correct any misuse, mismanagement, or fraud of beneficiary income.
PURPOSE OF THE JOB
The Office of Payee Review and Beneficiary Assistance (OPRABA) is looking for self-motivated investigator to be part of an exciting fast-paced team. Working closely with attorneys, you will be responsible for the reviews and investigations of Social Security Administration (SSA) representative payees to ensure compliance as well as uncover and correct any misuse, mismanagement, or fraud of beneficiary income.
Our investigator will telecommute between home and a variety of field settings including beneficiary homes, community locations, or payee offices. They will investigate money management practices and report findings that will result in lasting programmatic improvements to the way SSA beneficiary income is managed by representative payees.
In addition to conducting compliance reviews/investigations of representative payees, OPRABA reviewers enjoy many rewarding opportunities such as helping to shape the work within a tight-knit team, engagement with consumer populations from diverse cultural backgrounds, flexible working hours, paid travel, and trainings to vulnerable served communities.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential functions are the job responsibilities an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. Compliance Investigator essential functions include:
Investigations: 90%
- Conduct site reviews and investigations as requested by the Social Security Administration (SSA)
- Conduct additional reviews/investigations that DRC has determined are warranted
- Develop corrective action plans to assist representative payees to conform to requirements specified by the SSA
- Submit a report to the SSA on each completed review/investigation
- Conduct an initial onsite assessment of any organization that begins collecting a fee for its services as a representative payee to ensure that it is properly established according to SSA requirements
- Provide short-term, technical assistance and referrals to clients, callers and others, including to Social Security disability beneficiaries who have representative payees.
Community-Based Advocacy – 10%
- Engage in community-based advocacy and community leadership, representing DRC.
- Prepare written materials and conduct outreach to, and education and training of, consumers, community groups, advocates and others, particularly those from traditionally underserved communities on issues pertaining to their rights as SSA beneficiaries and the duties of their rep payee.
Perform other duties as assigned.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Significant travel will be required. Ability to travel routinely for activities such as rep payee reviews, inspect facilities, team meetings, workshops, education, training, or outreach activities up to 60% of the time. Valid CA driver’s license and ability and willingness to drive is required (unless a disability related accommodation is necessary and can reasonably be granted).
High speed internet connection is required to work for us.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION
Education and Experience
- High school diploma or general education degree (GED); plus 3 years related experience and/or training; Associate’s Degree (AA) in related subject may substitute for 2 years’ experience.
- Experience conducting interviews of individuals with disabilities, including cognitive or mental health disabilities, and gathering relevant information from multiple sources, including documents and witnesses.
- Experience that demonstrates attention to detail and understanding of confidentiality of client records.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s Degree in any related area
- Knowledge of federal disability benefits programs (i.e. Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income), housing, employment or wage laws,
- Experience reviewing financial, disability related benefits, or medical records or other clinical documents.
- Paid work experience conducting investigations, auditing or financial accounting, or serving as an advocate in the social service, human service, community-based, public interest or health care environments.
- Experience with electronic case management systems
- Experience working with and/or sensitivity to persons with disabilities and/or experience working with and/or sensitivity to persons from multi-ethnic communities.
- Life experience as a person with a disability OR direct experience as a caregiver of a family member with a disability.
Bilingual Ability
Preference will be given to bilingual candidates (any language including ASL) who also meet all other minimum requirements.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The following describes general working conditions and requirements of the job, which can be performed with or without disability related reasonable accommodations. Duties are performed between an office environment and the field in a wide range of settings, including health care facilities; locked mental health settings; in client, group, or family homes; community agencies; or in community-based outpatient settings. Duties frequently require sitting and communicating. Weights to be lifted and/or moved up to 20 pounds may be encountered.
CORE COMPETENCY
The competencies below represent the knowledge skills, behaviors and/or abilities required to be successful at DRC, with or without disability related reasonable accommodations.
Advocacy
Ability to analyze issues, present alternatives and creative solutions, and assess consequences. Ability to develop training and education materials. Ability to conduct interviews and/or investigations. Ability to monitor compliance against federal rules and regulations.
Communication
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret regulations and guidelines from government agencies. Ability to write reports, correspondence, training materials, and procedure manuals. Ability to use clear, concise language to provide timely and accurate written and oral communication. Ability to effectively present information, and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, and the public.
Critical Thinking
Ability to solve problems by applying policies and procedures to the facts of the situation. Ability to effectively reprioritize and work on several projects simultaneously. Sees underlying principles, patterns, or themes in an array of related information.
Diversity & Inclusion
Sees the value of disability, cultural, ethnic, gender, and other individual differences in people. Maintains an open, approachable manner, respects the talents and contributions of all individuals and treats others fairly and respectfully. Preserves others’ self-confidence and dignity, and shows regard for their opinions. Appropriately applies disability etiquette and accessibility protocols. Works to understand the perspectives of others and demonstrates empathy. Ability to interact effectively with individuals with a wide variety of disabilities.
Relationship Building
Ability to educate clients, community partners, facilities and/or community agencies regarding DRC’s mission and services through outreach and training. Ability to obtain beneficiary feedback and determine needs. Ability to share responsibility and ownership of work assignments. Ability to be purposeful in interactions, mindful of style differences, and to communicate effectively with others. Ability to work effectively with coworkers using a team-based approach.
LICENSES / CERTIFICATES
No licenses or certificates are required.
If you are interested in becoming a part of DRC, please submit the following:
1. Online Disability Rights California Application Form at https://jobs.lever.co/disabilityrightsca
2. Your resume
3. Cover Letter: We need a workforce that can utilize insights and strategies that can come from both professional and personal experience. In your cover letter, please tell us about yourself and why you are a great fit for this position and for DRC.
4. 3-4 professional references
4. Sample of legal writing (i.e., a legal argument, letter or analysis) consisting of no more than 10 pages of text.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.